FAA Seeks More Feedback on Consequential Drone Rule

Agency reopens comments for a proposed regulation that would greatly expand where and how UAS can fly.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 04:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The FAA’s proposed Part 108 rule would open the floodgates for expanded commercial drone operations in the U.S. [Credit: Pexels/JeShoots]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA has reopened the comment period for its Part 108 proposal, which aims to greatly expand drone operations Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS).
This atypical move allows stakeholders a second opportunity to provide feedback, specifically on contentious issues like right-of-way rules between drones and crewed aircraft, and requirements for electronic conspicuity (EC) or detect-and-avoid (DAA) technologies.
The decision was prompted by significant safety and operational complexity concerns raised by pilot organizations and other commenters, potentially delaying the rule's finalization beyond the White House's target.

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In an atypical move, aviation regulators will give drone manufacturers and operators, pilots, and other aviation stakeholders a second opportunity to shape a consequential proposal.

Per a notice in the Federal Register published Wednesday, the FAA reopened the comment period for its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for Part 108, which would greatly expand where and how uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, can fly. The move will give stakeholders another chance to provide feedback, though it could result in the final Part 108 rule slipping past the early February timeline dictated by the White House in June.